Switch for abattoir-tracks.



N0. 63|,687. Patented Aug. 22; 1899.

:G. W. ,WHALEY; I

SWITCH FDR ABATTUIR TRACKS.

(Application filed Dec. 8, 1898.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT Fmon.

GEORGE W. WHALEY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH FO R ABATTOlR-TRACKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 631,687, dated August 22, 1899.

Application filed December 3, 1898. Serial No. 698,157. (N0 model-l T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. WHALEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Switches for Abattoir-Tracks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in switches for overhead tramways, such as are used in abattoirs, and has for its object to provide a simple arrangement bywhich the carrier may be transferred from the main line to any one of a number of branch lines or permitted to continue its course upon the main line, as the case may require, and to accomplish this result with a single movable element.

With these ends in view this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specificallydesignated by the claim.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains may understand how to make and use the same, the construction and operation will now be described in detail, referring to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a plan of the main track and one branch line leading therefrom, the hang ers for supporting these tracks being in section and the switch member turned so as to cause the carrier to leave the main line and run upon the branch line; Fig. 2, a similar View showing the switch so turned as to leave the main line intact and cut the branch line; and Fig. 3, a perspective of the switch member, showing the manner of pivoting the same to one end of the main line.

In carrying out my invention as here embodied A represents the main track, and B the branch track, both supported by suitable hangers O in such manner that the usual carrier may travel thereon Without interfering with the hangers.

D represents the switch member, having pintles E projecting from its ends, said pintles being adapted to fit within sockets F formed in the ends of the railsof the main track A, by which arrangement the switch member is capable of being turned to the po sition shown in Fig. 1 or to that shown in Fig. 2.

upon the curved edge of the switch member, registers with one portion of the main track A and with the branch track 13, from which it is obvious that a carrier traveling in the direction of the arrow along the main track will be switched to the branch track B; but when the switch member is turned to the position shown in Fig. 2 the section of track H, which is formed with the opposite side of the switch member, completes the main track, and thereby provides for the continued travel of the carrier upon the main track, cutting out the branch track B. Any suitable means may be provided for holding the switch member in the position shown in Fig. 2such as a spring-actuated latch I, carried by an extension J of one of the hangers-so that when the switch member is brought intothis position this latch will spring into a notch formed therein, and thus hold it against accidental displacement. When the switch member is turned to the position shown in Fig. 1,'a latch is not needed, since the section of track Gis considerably off the center of the pivot-points 0f the switch, and therefore when the carrier passes upon this section of track its weight will tend to firmly hold the switch'member down against the stop K, which latter is for the support of the free end of the switch member.

One of the principal advantages of my improvement is its exceeding simplicity, thereby avoiding the use of complicated mechanism and' yet effectually accomplishing the result aimed at, and the further fact that no skill is required for its manipulation.

The cost of manufacturing and applying my improvement is small, as it may be made entirely of a single piece, either forged or cast, of malleable iron.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful is In combination with a main and branch track, a switch member pivoted withina gap in the main track and having formed upon one side thereof a section of track adapted to register with the main track when the switch When in the position shown in Fig. 1, the section of track G, which is formed roo is turned in one direction, and on the other I In testimony whereof I have hereunto afside a curved section of track adapted to regfixed my signature in the presence of two subister with one end of the main track and with scribing witnesses. the branch track when the switch is turned GEORGE \V. VHALEY.

5 in the opposite direction, an extension on the main track, and a latch-spring on the extension, as and for the purpose set forth.

Vitnesses:

E. C. WURDEMAN, L. W. MORRISON. 

